A public hearing on capital budget priorities for Harford County Public Schools drew a standing room only crowd on Monday, with advocates calling for the Harford County Board of Education to build replacement facilities at Havre de Grace High School and Youth’s Benefit Elementary School in Fallston.
Among the advocates were elected officials with the power of the purse over school funding, including Harford County Executive David Craig, who initiated the push for Havre de Grace High. What remains to be seen is whether the school board will request funding for one or both projects, or stick with their earlier decision to await the results of a planned analysis of conditions at all county school facilities. At stake is how and where taxpayer dollars will be directed for school construction next year and for years to come.
A written statement submitted by Harford County Executive David Craig kicked off the public hearing. Craig wrote that he planned to recommend funding for both the Havre de Grace and Youth’s Benefit projects in his budget for the fiscal year 2014, followed two years later by new facilities for William Paca/Old Post Road Elementary School in Abingdon and Homestead/Wakefield Elementary in Bel Air, which includes a related move of the John Archer School to the campus of Bel Air Middle. Craig was not in attendance at the hearing; a spokesman read the statement on his behalf.
School funding proposed by Craig must be approved by the Harford County Council, which during the last budget cycle voted to delay the Havre de Grace High School replacement, in part because the project was unilaterally initiated by Craig and not among those prioritized earlier by the school board.
In addition to local funding, major school construction projects typically require state funding. Speaking at the public hearing, State Sen. Barry Glassman said that he would leave priority-setting to the school board, but cautioned that the economic outlook and other fiscal constraints may require major projects to be spaced out.
“I hate to be the guy to stand up here and say… we can’t have two new cars in one year,” Glassman said, adding “We can do these schools, I’m convinced, but we have to plot it out.”
Glassman went on to urge the school board to have a major project in their yearly request for state capital funding, to give the county delegation a project to work toward funding. To do otherwise, Glassman said, would put Harford County at a disadvantage when state funds are available for such projects.
Glassman’s advice was notable because the school board has thus far decided not to make any funding requests for major capital projects next year, pending the outcome of an independent analysis of county facilities. The plan to analyze county facilities was initiated by county government last year but is being coordinated by school system staff. Cornell Brown, assistant superintendent for operations for HCPS, said after the hearing Monday that the contract to perform the analysis would be put out to bid in the fall, a delay from previous estimates. Once undertaken, Brown said that the analysis may take at least a year and half to complete. Unless the school board reverses course, such a timeline would mean that at least two budget cycles could pass before a major capital project is requested.
Harford County Councilman Joe Woods, who also spoke at the hearing, said afterward that he agreed with Glassman that the school board should have major capital requests in the pipeline for state funding.
Maroon vs. Green
A crowd of parents, community leaders and elected officials packed the 120-seat boardroom in the A.A. Roberty Building in Bel Air Monday night, advocating in turn for either Havre de Grace High School or Youth’s Benefit, each side clad in their respective school colors of Havre de Grace maroon and Youth’s Benefit green.
For Havre de Grace High School
Havre de Grace Council President Randy Craig said that a lack of renovation over four decades and the lack of a magnet program at Havre de Grace High created an inequity with other county high schools. Havre de Grace Councilman Dave Glenn cited safety concerns, saying that the two-building school required students to cross Congress Avenue, and that the one building housing the gym and music programs was left unlocked.
Other speakers noted the age and appearance of the school buildings, with narrow, crowded hallways and stairways; a lack of technological upgrades, and uneven temperature control. Glenn said that the community had waited patiently while other county high schools were rebuilt, striking the theme that was later echoed by others: “It’s our turn.”
Also advocating for Havre de Grace High School were the president of the Havre de Grace Chamber of Commerce, student leaders, school staff, parents and community members. Havre de Grace teacher Richard Hauf said that some of the best and brightest students were lost each year to the magnet programs offered in other county schools, which also had better facilities. In a school of approximately 700 students, Huff said that the loss of 30 students each year had a negative effect on the community and on the high school, which had a history of producing successful graduates.
Student Government President Jillian Larrimore said that when Havre de Grace students see better facilities at other schools, it makes them feel less important, affecting their motivation and school pride.
For Youth’s Benefit Elementary School
Rallying under the slogan, “Build It Now”, advocates for a new facility at Youth’s Benefit Elementary School in Fallston outlined problems with their two-building school, which houses approximately 1,000 students. Undrinkable water contaminated with lead; a failing septic system; buckets set in classrooms to catch water from a leaking roof, uneven temperature control, and an open classroom design that hampers instruction were among the concerns noted.
Harford County Councilman Joe Woods, who represents the Fallston district, spoke in favor of a new facility for Youth’s Benefit and offered to work with the school board to “make it happen.” Serving on the seven-member county council, Woods has a vote in approving funding for the school board’s requested budget.
Paul MacMillan, representing the group called “Build It Now”, said that Youth’s Benefit met all of the HCPS criteria for school replacement and was shovel ready for construction when it was put on hold following the economic downturn. A flyer distributed by the “Built It Now” group noted that the school was first identified by HCPS for major capital improvements in 1996.
Youth’s Benefit parent Hillary Jenkins-Spangler said that both Havre de Grace and Youth’s Benefit were worthy candidates for replacement, but said that Youth’s Benefit was older, had lead in the water and had no lunch room when the cafeteria is used for gym or music classes.
Next Steps
School Board President Leonard Wheeler said after the public hearing that he would look to Superintendent Robert Tomback and his staff to recommend changes to the draft capital request for fiscal 2014, which totals $31 million but includes no major school replacement projects. Wheeler said that he was open to amendments from the superintendent but would not say whether he would specifically support the addition of such projects. Budget amendments could also be proposed by individual school board members, Wheeler said.
Superintendent Tomback said during the public hearing that the draft capital budget would next be presented to board members on Sept. 10, with a final vote planned for Sept. 24.
Something Havre de Grace needs to think about: Rising Sun High School is in North East. Where in Havre de Grace could a new high school be built?
Not saying a new building is not needed but it won’t be downtown any more.
According to what I have read of David Craig’s plan, the school would be built on land that currently contains baseball and softball fields next to the middle school and rec center and behind the new football stadium and tennis courts. I would be concerned about having active railroad tracks so close to the school, but I’m sure that Mr. Craig’s plan also spends significant amounts of my tax dollars to put up a sound wall between the tracks and the entire school property.
What we all deserve (and I don’t often use that word, but as taxpayers I think “deserve” is appropriate being that we pay for this), is that our elected officials and paid BOE members develop a PLAN that lays out how all of the very outdated and deteriorating schools will be replaced over time, how much it will likely cost, and how it will be funded – period. Nothing more, nothing less. There are 3 or 4 schools around the County that should be part of this plan and this public bickering across County is pointless and fruitless. Include the communities affected in the discussion and DO YOUR JOB!!!
If it’s true Havre de grace has all of these problems with mold and yellow water and heating and AC, than why wasn’t the administrator held accountable. I’m sure there was a report sent to higher ups. These issues can be fixed. Someone didn’t do their job.
Because shiny and new trumps budgeting properly to repair old. No one ever thinks of maintenance. That’s why your bridges fall into rivers taking traffic with them and then you ask the question: “How could this have happened? Wasn’t anyone paying attention?” It’s like “Shock and awe”, building new buildings are way cooler than fixing old ones.
Accountable? Accountable? What a novel term to be used when dealing with the school system. Who is going to hold someone accountable?
Someone didn’t do their job? They will likely get promoted. That is how the HCPS operates and that is how the BOE allows them to operate.
This may seem very strange, but I went school in England. Our school buildings were erected in 1638, and served until 1966, when it was merged with another school. 328 years for a publicly funded educational establishment, when the oldest in Harford County is not quite 60 years old.
Nassau Hall in Princeton was build in 1756 and is still working. Perhaps we need to get away from our “Throwaway” mindset.
Better construction methods and planned refurbishment costs would, ultimately, save millions of dollars.
Princeton has an endowment of 17.1 BILLION dollars, of course they can afford to maintain their building. To put it another way, to spend $100 million dollars on a new Youth’s Benefit and Havre de Grace High School would consume ONE-HALF OF ONE PERCENT of that total.
It can be done:
Joliet, IL — Parks Cultural Studies Academy, a limestone classic built in 1883, is the oldest operating public school in Joliet. (Moved to new school October 2011) 128 years of continuous education.
Portland, KY – Portland Elementary; 155 years of continuous education, and still operating.
Chicago, IL – Central School, Erected 1888, closed 2010, 122 years of continuous education.
Williamsburg, VA – The College of William & Mary, erected 1695, 317 years of continuous education, except for a brief period when classes were cancelled “because the British invaded”.
Wayland Academy, Beaver Dam, WI – Erected 1855, 157 years of continuous education.
Boston Latin School, Boston, MA, South St building still in use, built 200 years ago.
Chetham’s School of Music, Chetham, Manchester, UK, formerly Chetham’s Hospital School, built in 1458, 554 years of continuous education. (A beautiful building see images at bottom of http://www.chethams.com/venue-hire)
Ewelme School Ewelme, Oxfordshire, England, built in 1437 for the education of any child. After 575 years of continuous service the original school is still in full working order, making this the “oldest continuously functioning school building” in the United Kingdom.
All of these schools have one thing in common; they were constructed to last, and had administrators or govenors who believed in preservation and conservation.
Another interesting thing is that out of the schools I have listed, more than half have outstanding acdemic records, and this has allowed them to start building their endowment funds, thereby reducing their reliance on government funding.
It would be wonderful if Havre de Grace could seize the opportunity and build a school of excellence.
We are expecting an awful lot from a school administration that just wasted tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on a re-design of the HCPS logo? This demonstrates a clear lack of fiscal responsibility or clear thinking on the part of everyone involved. The new logo looks like it was borrowed straight from “The Odd Life of Timothy Green.”
Here in The Odd Life of Harford Taxpayers, we continue to be treated to the ongoing destruction of Common Sense. As parents, we are treated like we don’t exist as detailed in this story.
As citizens, we get short shrift from political “leaders” whose only thoughts are how they can (a) feather their own nests whilst in office and (b) get re-elected.
Now that our leaders have effectively set up a competition between two geographic factions within the county for much-needed construction funds, perhaps the administration will suggest that the matter be settled through some sort of contest. Heck, America loves a good contest! Maybe Survivor Harford or a UFC match between warriors selected by the competing communities. That’s it!–the money can be raised by selling broadcast rights to a network that will televise the competition!!!
I suggest you stop taking in the Java Jack. It is ruining your mind. The money spent on getting rid of the No Books logo was miniscule compared to the county outsourcing to India. On top of that, the logo was contracted to a Bel Air firm.
So thank you for humiliating them. They are probably your neighbors. You, my friend, are everything that is wrong with this county. Self loathing, intolerant, and backward thinking. It is no wonder that Baltimore County is seeing an increase in student population.
Could not agree more. This guy seems out of touch.
@DamienSandow
You stated: “The money spent on getting rid of the No Books logo was miniscule compared to the county outsourcing to India.” Please share with us the amount of money the county is outsourcing to India. This would be very instructive for all of us here in Harford County as we did no realize that the original logo was driving so much money to India. Thank heavens we have a new logo and now all our money will remain here in the County!
You seem to be losing some sleep over Baltimore County’s increasing student population. Is their logo so much better that it influences where people live and send their children to school?
Really, what I’m critical of in this case is the misguided emphasis of the importance of branding over truly substantive issues such as those being faced by the parents whose children are attending substandard facilities.
But, since you seem to have enormous insight and knowledge regarding our new logo, perhaps you can tell us:
1. What measurable improvements in learning will result from the new logo?
2. What drove the urgent need to pursue the logo redesign prior to tackling other lesser matters such as, you know, education or school construction?
3. How much will it cost US for THEM to print new business cards (yeah, all the coolest bureaucrats have them), letterhead and envelopes?
4. How much will it cost US for THEM to incorporate the new logo into the HCPS web site, vehicles, welcome mats (yep, can’t have a cool new HQ without them), and the countless other tchotchkes?
5. How much will it cost US for THEM to pay the producers of The Odd Life of Timothy Green for borrowing from their theme?
Baltimore Co. is seeing an increase in student population because people continue to flee Baltimore City and because parents are using any means possible (often illegal) to send their children to schools anywhere, including AA Co. and Howard Co., than Baltimore City schools.
I forgot to add that there is no such exodus from Harfrod Co. to Balt. Co. schools because theirs is so much better than ours.
Damien,
If the Bel Air firm was humiliated it was because the HCPS gave them very poor guidance on what was wanted and even had the temerity to start this boondoogle project in the first place. No design firm creates something in a vacuum and the only problem I have with them is that they decided to let HCPS be a customer of theirs on a project that created a huge public stink. Now they know better for the future. I’m sure this is not a design they will be showcasing to future potential customers.
And you know as well as the rest of us that this project will end up costing tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars by the time it is fully implemented and never should have been started. The fact that it was started when there are many more important needs shows either a huge amount of either stupidity or arrogance on the part of HCPS leadership.
As I said in another forum, if the folks at A Bright Idea worked this design out FOR HCPS, well, then they should be embarrassed. If you want to be a competitive, high profile design firm then you’d best produce high quality work…and since that didn’t happen, negative criticism is to be expected.
If the design was based on specific requirements FROM HCPS and merely met the client’s request, then HCPS shouldn’t presume to be graphic artists. Since there’s nothing about the new graphic that portrays “education” as it’s product, they could have saved time, money and energy and merely changed the position of the offending “no books” ruler so it wasn’t diagonal or removed it completely and returned to the business of education without this public outcry. All this does is give Harford County residents one more reason to shake their heads and wonder whether the people in charge of HCPS have any clue at all.
HCPSTeacher10,
I like it better when we are in agreement and we sure are on this one. A Bright Idea either really needed the work or were led down a path by HCPS to what is widely agreed is a poor design or just aren’t very talented. I don’t believe that they are not very talented.
You do need to explain that remark about all that money spent outsourcing to India. Otherwise you look a little featherbrained. Actually, more than a little. What has the County outsourced to India that has you all in a lather? Police? Teachers? Firemen? Trash collection? Snow removal? Building/grounds maintenance?
Anyway, A Bright Idea doesn’t list HCPS as a client on their web site and I don’t blame them.
Wow. You are either an ignoramus, or do not read (not surprising since you appreciate the no books logo).
I would probably go with both since you commented on the very article which discussed what you are questioning:
http://www.daggerpress.com/2012/01/24/county-mum-on-details-of-it-department-irregularities-as-audits-continue-claims-some-can-be-%E2%80%9Ceasily-explained%E2%80%9D/
I am the intellectual savior of the unwashed masses.
Pwned.
Wow. You are either an ignoramus, or do not read (not surprising since you appreciate the no books logo).
I would probably go with both since you commented on the very article which discussed the specifics that you are questioning:
Dagger Article: “County Mum on Details of IT Department Irregularities as Audits Continue, Claims Some Can Be “Easily Explained””
Find this and you will be enlightened my friend.
I am the intellectual savior of the unwashed masses.
Pwned.
Perhaps Damien, you could tap into your superior intellect and explain to us just how the new logo for HCPS will prevent outsourcing by an IT contractor. We simple citizens are eager to learn the connection between the HCPS logo and the decisions of the IT Department’s contractor.
The article you linked us to states, “Also unclear was the nature of the “significant number” of contracts the county reached with the company described in the agenda as “ESI,” and subcontracted to Hexaware. Hexaware is a global internet firm based in India which, among other services, provides IT outsourcing services.”
So, please do save those of us among the unwashed masses with your totally awesome intellect and explain that to us.
And on top of all that, I am absolutely certain a competition among County 5th graders would have generated an excellent logo if in fact we were in need of a new one – cost $0, or maybe a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant. Sorry – too logical for our great County thinkers!
Perhaps a school logo, but a county logo? The logo is extremely important at teacher Job Fairs. It is imperative that we stay competitive with other counties who want to poach the best tallent.
What is the first thing that these young teachers see?
You’re welcome.
-Damien Sandow, your intellectual savior.
Your steadfast loyalty to Bright Idea and the new logo design would suggest that you are possibly an employee, associated with an employee or ownership. And I can tell you that the logo is not important or a determinant factor while recruiting. Job availability, salary, benefits, and location are what attract quality candidates. As for intellectual savior – I think not.
Damien,
You are not the intellectual savior of anything or anyone. You are a nit wit numbskull who wouldn’t now what is is important at a job fair if your life depended on it. It sounds like you might be the one that designed that silly little logo based on the way you are defending it. Do you work for A Bright Idea?
The logo is a goofy little unattractive ‘splotch’ on a piece of paper that has no meaning and no message. Every time I see it I think of how out of control and mis-managed our school system actually is. They have no clue what a logo with a real message behind it actually looks like. Nevertheless, it is taxpayer money so why would they care?
Oh, yes, I remember now. Are you the Damien Sandow that J. Eapen outsourced your job to India and saved the County a ton of money?